The Dental Hygiene program prepares graduates to competently begin professional dental hygiene practice. Upon graduation, practice settings include private dental offices, school and public health departments, and research facilities. Students receive a thorough foundation in general sciences and in dental hygiene science. Students have the opportunity to develop the necessary knowledge, clinical skills, and judgment in the on-campus dental hygiene clinic.

The Admissions Office reviews each applicant based on the stated criteria for preadmission requirements.

A candidate list is ranked with the top twenty candidates that have met the preadmission requirements with the highest GPA.

The Admissions Office notifies the top twenty candidates of their acceptance into the Program. These candidates have until May 1st to confirm their acceptance into the Program.

Some courses in this program are only offered during the day. Students planning to transfer into this program should seek advice from the program director on which courses to take.

Once enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program, students are required to complete all courses in the four semesters of instruction in required sequence and without interruption in order to integrate theoretical and clinical education and to graduate.

Program Accreditation

The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, which is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post Secondary Accreditation and by the U.S. Department of Education. Graduates take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the CDCA/ADEX/North East Regional Clinical Board Examination.

For 2015, the BCC pass rate for the National Board (required for licensure in Massachusetts) is 100%, and the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Hygiene is 100%.

After BCC

Graduates have worked as registered dental hygienists in general and specialty facilities and as dental hygiene educators, consultants, dental sales representatives, and public and community health coordinators.

Systematically collect, analyze, and accurately record baseline data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of patients using methods consistent with medico-legal principles.

Discuss the condition of the oral cavity, identify actual and potential problems, etiological and contributing factors, and available treatments.

Provide treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health and assist the patient in achieving oral health goals.

Evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and educational services and modify as necessary.

Degree Requirements

Pre-admission Requirements

BIO 233, ENG 101 (or HIGHER), a 4-credit general college chemistry with a laboratory component with a grade of B- or better, and High School Algebra I (or a higher level mathematics in high school or college)

The Dental Hygiene program is a competitive program with selective admission requirements. A limited number of students are admitted to the Dental Hygiene Program.

Students applying to BCC with a state-approved high school equivalency credential rather than with a high school diploma will need to take the required pre-admission courses before being considered for admission to the program. See Minimum Requirements for Admission to the Program.

Meeting these minimum criteria places the applicant in the selection pool but does not guarantee admission to the Dental Hygiene program. Final selection will be based on the applicant pool and space available. Many students find that taking general and elective courses before entering the program allows for full focus on the challenging Dental Hygiene curriculum.

Minimum Requirements for Admission to the Program are as Follows

High school Algebra I (or a higher level mathematics in high school or college ) with a grade of B- or greater

A 4-credit general college Chemistry with a laboratory component with a grade of B- or greater

BIO 233 (equivalent to college Anatomy and Physiology 1) with a grade of B- or greater

ENG 101 (equivalent to English Composition I or a higher level college English) with a grade of B- or greater

Upon admission to the Dental Hygiene program, all students must undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. These checks are required due to potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, or the elderly during a clinical experience. Students found to have certain criminal convictions or pending criminal actions will be presumed ineligible for clinical placement. The College is authorized by the Commonwealth's Department of Criminal Justice to access CORI records. Sex Offender checks shall be performed pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Sections 178C-178P.

A positive CORI/SORI check may prevent students from working in contracted health facilities and onsite dental hygiene clinic, which will prevent students from completing the program objectives.

Please be advised that despite Massachusetts law that permits the use of medical marijuana and the possession, use, distribution and cultivation of marijuana in limited amounts, any possession, use, distribution or cultivation of marijuana remains prohibited under College policy pursuant to federal law. Further, any student who tests positive for marijuana will be ineligible for clinical placement. Please refer to the College's Student Handbook for the College's complete Marijuana Policy.

All students must be CPR certified by the American Heart Association (Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers). Students must present evidence of certification before beginning DHG 122 and must maintain certification until the completion of DHG 242.

Additional Costs

Students must carry professional liability insurance and provide their own transportation to off-campus clinical assignments. They are responsible for purchasing instruments, disposables, and uniforms, and paying CPR and Board application fees.

Grade Requirements

A grade of “C” or better must be attained in each clinical course and all other DHG courses.

Essential Functions

Communicate clearly and effectively through speech and writing in English with patients, faculty, staff and peers.

Physical ability, sufficient mobility and motor coordination to safely provide patient care and to meet the needs of various patient populations.

As in any health care environment, students in the Dental Hygiene Program may have risks of exposure to infectious diseases. The Dental Hygiene Program adheres to all state and federal regulations to reduce the risk of health care associated infections. Individuals who disclose the presence of blood-borne infectious diseases will be shown the same consideration as non-infected individuals and will be offered reasonable accommodations. Information regarding health status of an individual is considered confidential and protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.